loading 231 in a 9MM Luger

rabbit · October 24, 2012, 06:52 PM

howdy , i have never reloaded 9MM , I have a 1939 vintage Mauser luger and wish to load a batch of ammo using Winchester 231 and hard cast lead bullets 124 grs round nose [ they weigh about 130 grs ] any ideas on how grains of 231 to use ??
many thanks, rabbit

THORN74 · October 24, 2012, 06:58 PM

currently I am loading 4.0gr win231 with Berry's 124gr fp plated lead ..... I'm getting good results out of my dog p226 and my m&p9c

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tkglazie · October 24, 2012, 07:11 PM

Just about the same here- I have good luck with 4.1gr HP38/W231 under a 124gr LRN at 1.125" OAL. 1040fps out of my Ruger P89. Much more accurate a load than I am a shooter.

Sam1957 · October 24, 2012, 07:15 PM

I agree with the 2 suggestions as they are identical to my loads.

tkglazie · October 24, 2012, 07:19 PM

gorgeous gun and accessories by the way. An added benefit of the above loads is that they are exceedingly easy shooting and will not beat up that great old gun.

The LRN bullets I use are 18 BHN (reloadsnmore.com) and I experience no leading.

rodfac · October 24, 2012, 08:30 PM

Good lookin piece...keep it out of that leather though for storage.

I've had good lead alloy groups through a 9mm Colt Commander, a Colt Gov't Series 70, and a Beretta 92 with 3.8 gr of Win 231 with a 124 gr Phoenix rnd nose. Overall length was 1.130" and I was using Winchester brass and primers. All three will group down around 2" at 25 yds from a sitting rest.

For jacketed bullets, especially the 115 grainers, I started at 4.7 gr's of Win 231 and worked up, but not much, 4.9 gr's gave me a good load, accurate and as fast as I needed for casual woods carry...Hornady, Remington and Winchester JHPs shot very well with 231 in all three guns and also in a Glock 19 and a Sig 290. The Glock 19 chrono'd 1154 fps for five shots with 4.9 gr's of 231 and Federal's 115 gr FMJ. The same load combination gave me 1062 fps in a 3" barreled Sig.

Remember to work up slowly. These loads worked well in my guns, with no adverse pressure signs....yours may vary.

HTH's Rod

rabbit · October 24, 2012, 10:53 PM

hi guys , i have come to the right location for answers , donnot have a lead tester , but they are hard my my finger nail , what are you guys sizing your bullets to , .355 , .356 or .357 ??
the luger is very tight had been sitting on a self of a recemtly deased WW2 vet and policeman , has not been fired very much if at al before I bought the ole gal,
many thanks, rabbit

October 24, 2012, 06:52 PM	#1
rabbit Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Posts: 37	loading 231 in a 9MM Luger howdy , i have never reloaded 9MM , I have a 1939 vintage Mauser luger and wish to load a batch of ammo using Winchester 231 and hard cast lead bullets 124 grs round nose [ they weigh about 130 grs ] any ideas on how grains of 231 to use ?? many thanks, rabbit

October 24, 2012, 08:30 PM	#6
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	Good lookin piece...keep it out of that leather though for storage. I've had good lead alloy groups through a 9mm Colt Commander, a Colt Gov't Series 70, and a Beretta 92 with 3.8 gr of Win 231 with a 124 gr Phoenix rnd nose. Overall length was 1.130" and I was using Winchester brass and primers. All three will group down around 2" at 25 yds from a sitting rest. For *jacketed bullets, especially the 115 grainers, I started at 4.7 gr's of Win 231 and worked up, but not much, 4.9 gr's gave me a good load, accurate and as fast as I needed for casual woods carry...Hornady, Remington and Winchester JHPs shot very well with 231 in all three guns and also in a Glock 19 and a Sig 290. The Glock 19 chrono'd 1154 fps for five shots with 4.9 gr's of 231 and Federal's 115 gr FMJ. The same load combination gave me 1062 fps in a 3" barreled Sig. Remember to work up slowly. These loads worked well in my guns, with no adverse pressure signs....yours may vary. HTH's Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. Last edited by rodfac; October 24, 2012 at 09:37 PM.*

October 24, 2012, 06:58 PM	#2
THORN74 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Chicago 'Burbs Posts: 543	currently I am loading 4.0gr win231 with Berry's 124gr fp plated lead ..... I'm getting good results out of my dog p226 and my m&p9c Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2

October 24, 2012, 07:11 PM	#3
tkglazie Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Posts: 558	Just about the same here- I have good luck with 4.1gr HP38/W231 under a 124gr LRN at 1.125" OAL. 1040fps out of my Ruger P89. Much more accurate a load than I am a shooter.

October 24, 2012, 07:15 PM	#4
Sam1957 Junior Member Join Date: May 4, 2011 Posts: 9	I agree with the 2 suggestions as they are identical to my loads.

October 24, 2012, 07:19 PM	#5
tkglazie Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Posts: 558	gorgeous gun and accessories by the way. An added benefit of the above loads is that they are exceedingly easy shooting and will not beat up that great old gun. The LRN bullets I use are 18 BHN (reloadsnmore.com) and I experience no leading.

October 24, 2012, 10:53 PM	#7
rabbit Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Posts: 37	hi guys , i have come to the right location for answers , donnot have a lead tester , but they are hard my my finger nail , what are you guys sizing your bullets to , .355 , .356 or .357 ?? the luger is very tight had been sitting on a self of a recemtly deased WW2 vet and policeman , has not been fired very much if at al before I bought the ole gal, many thanks, rabbit